Key Findings from Research on Ending Violence against Girls and Women
Summary, November 9, 2012

Voters consider violence against girls and women important, though the issue is often pushed out by the intensity of the focus on the economy.

Referring to “rape” and “abuse” heightens concern.

When it comes to the issue of ending violence against girls and women, voters initially focus more at the community level than that national level, though after voters hear messages around violence against girls and women, we move people to see this issue as more of a national priority.

Voters are most engaged today around taking action by personally intervening when they witness violence and working to introduce anti-violence curriculum in schools.

People respond to education to prevent violence because they believe a major root cause of violence is cycles of violence learned in childhood, which affects both girls and boys.

Educating about prevention is also an area where people feel they can publicly take action and are likely to be effective.

Successful messaging strategies focus most on values rather than statistics, studies, or even social math. The strongest messages focus on human rights, right versus wrong, and tools to prevent violence.

The least successful messages and facts revolve around health implications, small-scale socialization, women’s rights, and the cost to society.

African American voters respond well to the impact on the community, and talking about the personal impact resonates well with Latino voters.